Vacuum cleaner accessories caddy

ABSTRACT

The Vacuum Cleaner Accessories Caddy is an accessory belt which can be fitted and secured without tools around the body of a conventional barrel or tank type vacuum cleaner. The device may comprise two components: 1) a wide braided nylon band with attached Velcro™ strap and buckle or eyelet for size adjustment; and 2) a plurality of usually molded plastic holders attached thereto that are designed to secure vacuum cleaner tools and accessories.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/638,927, filed on Dec. 27, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to vacuum cleaners and more specifically to an adjustable caddy for holding and organizing vacuum cleaner accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE FIELD

Vacuumers, both residential and commercial, need tools. The typical vacuum cleaner has a standard extension wand at the end of the hose, but the user typically needs other tools, such as a floor tool, a crevice tool, and a brush tool. It is desirable for the user to carry these tools with him so that they will be readily available for the job at hand. Many vacuum cleaners do not come with any way to carry such tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem by providing a simple and effective way for vacuum cleaner tools and accessories to be carried on the vacuum cleaner itself. The accessories caddy comprises a usually somewhat flexible band or belt with various accessory holders arranged thereon. The accessory holders, generally molded from plastic, are configured for holding the various accessories according to the preferences of the user, and the band is fastened around the body of a vacuum cleaner (such as barrel or tank).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention with band and holders;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of a first embodiment of a holder;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a second embodiment of a holder; and

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a third embodiment of a holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the caddy 10 comprising a generally flat, rectangular band or belt 12 and various accessory holders 14 arranged and fastened thereon. The band is to be installed on a typical tank or barrel type vacuum cleaner and so must be both flexible and adjustable—flexible so as to circumscribe the barrel or tank and adjustable so as to fit different sizes of barrels and tanks. The band also must be sturdy enough to hold up a plurality of holders loaded with vacuum cleaner tools and to withstand repeated use. Consequently, the band 12 may be made of any suitable material (i.e., rubber or other pliable band material) and in the embodiments herein shown is generally made of 2″ to 2.5″ wide nylon webbing. The band may also include a rubberized or other non-skid backing on the side adjacent the vacuum cleaner. Such backing would be included to assist in securing the band around the body of the vacuum cleaner, many of which are smooth and/or tapered. Further, the band being rectangular has a first end and a second end and includes closing means to fasten the two ends. Such means may include a buckle or eyelet 13 at one end and a securing strap 15, which may be of Velcro™ or other hook-and-loop fabric, at the other end. The band is intended to support several holders which may be arranged thereon in the desired configuration according to the references of the user.

FIG. 2 shows detail of a holder 14 to be mounted on the band and fastened thereon. The holder 14 may comprise a body 16, a front panel 18, a back panel 20 and a lock clasp 22. The body 16, which may be variously shaped (such as by injection molding or other manufacturing technique) and may be of any suitable material, is in this detail a generally cylindrical canister made of molded plastic and may be integrally molded into or attached to the front panel 18 (e.g., with adhesive) and also may have an opening, a slot 17, defined vertically along its length. The slot 17 is intended to face outwardly from the band and provides easy access for the tool or accessory loaded into the holder. The body 16 may take various shapes to fit various vacuum cleaner tools or accessories, both standard and custom. Additionally, the holder may be closed at one end, e.g., the bottom of the canister, to accommodate certain accessories. Also, the holder may be in the form of a bag for retaining microtools. Once fastened to the band 12 in the desired arrangement, the holders 14 are to be loaded with vacuum cleaner tools (e.g., floor tool, crevice tool, brush tool) and/or other accessories—spray cleaner, cleaning wipes, etc.

Front panel 18 is typically a generally flat, rectangular panel attached to the body 16 opposite the vertical slot 17. It is recommended, though not necessary for the invention, that the front panel 18 be large enough to span the width of the band 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 18 has a top edge 19 a and a bottom edge 19 b. Optionally, the front panel may define a plurality of barbs 26 (or other protruding points) on the face 21 a directed away from the body.

Hinged to the top edge 19 a of the front panel 18, and typically of approximately the same size, is the back panel 20, such that the two panels are capable of mating upon folding or other action. In the embodiment shown, the back panel 20 is also generally flat and rectangular similar to the front panel 18 and has a mating face 21 b. The back panel 20 defines several small protruding points 26 (traction cleats or barbs) on its interior mating face 21 b so that when the panels are mated around the nylon band, the barbs 26 grip the band and secure the holder onto the band so that it is stationary and does not slip laterally along the band 12. In addition, the back panel may further include a spacer 23 on its exterior face 21 c to hold the band and holders spaced away from the vacuum cleaner barrel or tank. In the embodiment shown, the spacer 23 takes the form of a generally rectangular block affixed to the back panel. If used, the spacer must be designed and positioned so as not to interfere with the operation of the lock clasp, discussed later.

The holder may further comprise locking means, which in the embodiment shown comprises a lock clasp 22 hingably attached to one side edge of the front panel (towards the bottom edge thereof). Such clasp element may be manufactured integrally with the panel. When the two panels are mated, the lock clasp 22 folds over the back panel 20 and snaps into place on the opposite edge of the front panel, thereby securing the two panels together. When the panels are thusly secured, the barbs of the panel mating face(s) will be driven into the material of the band and will operate to prevent lateral slippage of the holder.

The holders may thus be adjusted and arranged around the band according to the individual user of the device, but when arranged and locked into place they will not slide or come off.

FIG. 3 shows detail of a second embodiment of a holder having an alternate lock clasp 30. In this embodiment, the lock clasp 30 is defined as the back panel itself, and there is a receptacle 32 along the bottom edge of the front panel. The lock clasp/back panel 30 snaps into the receptacle 32 when folded into the mating position. If a spacer is used with this embodiment, to hold the band and holders spaced away from the vacuum cleaner barrel or tank, it can more easily be designed and positioned so as not to interfere with the operation of the lock clasp.

The holders may thus be adjusted and arranged around the band according to the individual user of the device, but when arranged and locked into place they will not slide or come off.

FIG. 4 show detail of a third embodiment of a holder having an alternate lock clasp 40. In this embodiment, there is at least one, preferably two as shown, protruding knob 42 protruding from the back face 21 a of the front panel, which fit through holes 44 in the back panel when mated. The knobs 42 are made to snap securely into the holes 44 and hold the back panel in place—with the barbs being driven into the band. In this embodiment, the tips of the knobs protruding through the back panel may act as a bottom spacer; so there may also be a top spacer 46 mounted on the back panel. 

1. A vacuum cleaner accessory caddy comprising: a generally flat, generally rectangular band having a first end and a second end, and further comprising closing means to fasten the two ends; and at least one holder mounted on said band, said holder including locking means.
 2. The caddy of claim 1 wherein the band is made of a material chosen from the group comprising nylon webbing, rubber, and other pliable band materials.
 3. The caddy of claim 1 wherein said closing means of said band comprises an eyelet integral with the first end and a hook-and-loop strap fastened to the second end.
 4. The caddy of claim 1 wherein said closing means of said band comprises a buckle attached to the first end and a hook-and-loop strap fastened to the second end.
 5. The caddy of claim 1 wherein said holder comprises a body, said body being molded to fit any one of several vacuum cleaner accessories.
 6. The caddy of claim 5 wherein said body is made from molded plastic.
 7. The caddy of claim 5 wherein said body is in the shape of a generally cylindrical canister.
 8. The caddy of claim 7 wherein said body further defines a vertical lengthwise slot.
 9. The caddy of claim 7 wherein said canister has one closed end.
 10. The caddy of claim 1 wherein said holder further comprises a front panel attached to said body and a back panel hingably attached to said front panel.
 11. The caddy of claim 10 wherein said front panel is generally flat and generally rectangular.
 12. The caddy of claim 10 wherein said back panel is shaped to mate with said front panel upon folding.
 13. The caddy of claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a lock clasp hingably attached to said front panel.
 14. The caddy of claim 13 wherein said back panel further includes a plurality of barbs protruding therefrom.
 15. The caddy of claim 13 wherein said lock clasp is designed to fold over said back panel when mated and snap onto an opposite edge of said front panel.
 16. The caddy of claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a lock clasp integral with said front panel.
 17. The caddy of claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a receptacle along a bottom edge of said front panel.
 18. The caddy of claim 1 wherein said locking means includes at least one knob protruding from said front panel through a corresponding hole in said back panel.
 19. The caddy of claim 18 wherein said at least one knob has a flared tip so as to snap securely into place through said hole.
 20. The caddy of claim 1 further comprising a spacer attached to said back panel opposite said front panel. 